Swimming pool heater

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a direct contact, water-nonsubmerged system for heating of a swimming pool by the transverse flowing of water into direct contact with a flowing heat source. In the specific practice, a source of swimming pool water is flowed onto a water dispersing surface containing a multiplicity of weep holes and then flowed through the weep holes into aheat source flowing transverse to the water flow through the weep holes.

United States Patent 1191 Richards et al.

[ 1 Apr. 3, 1973 1541 SWIMMING POOL HEATER [76] Inventors: Raymond S.Richards, 2755 Sagamore; Douglas F. St. John, 4433 Terrace View South,both of Toledo, Ohio 43607 221 Filed: Mar. 24, 1971 [21] Appl.N0.:127,499

52 U.S. c1. ..126/350 R, 126/355 51 1111. 01 ..F24h 1/10 58 Field orSearch ....126/350 R, 355, 369, 343.5 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,291,119 12/1966 Sullivan..126/350 R 2,411,133 5/1949 Fiduccia ..126/343.5 R 1,070,052 8/1913McSalley ..126/355 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 126/355 France 1 26/ 350 8,571 6/1894 Switzerland ..l26/355 327,4854/1930 Great Britain ..126/355 15,413 10/1894 Great Britain ..l26/3551,927 5/1880 Great Britain 1 26/355 Primary Examiner-William F. ODeaAssistant Examiner-William C. Anderson Attorney-Donald K. Wedding [57]ABSTRACT There is disclosed a direct contact, water-nonsubmerged systemfor heating of a swimming pool by the transverse flowing of water intodirect contact with a flowing heat source. In the specific practice, asource of swimming pool water is flowed onto a water dispersing surfacecontaining a multiplicity of weep holes and then flowed through the weepholes into aheat source flowing transverse to the water flow through theweep holes.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDAPR 3 1913 3, 724,446

SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTOR. W KM BY ATTO RA/Ey PATENTEBAPRB ms 3. 724.446

FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

ATTOQA/FY SWIMMING POOL HEATER THE INVENTION This invention relates to anovel heating system for the effective heating of swimming pools. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a high thermal efficiency systemfor the heating of swimming pool water, in which the fuel combustiontakes place at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Water heating has conventionally been accomplished generally in one oftwo ways:

One is by the direct heating of coils of thin-walled tubing or piping,through which the water to be heated passes. The coils are in a heatedenvironment, such as a gas-fired chamber, and the coils may be so woundas to provide several passages of the water through the chamber in orderto obtain maximum transfer of heat to the water through the usually thinwalls of the tubing or piping. This heating method is generallydescribed as the direct-fired method.

In another implementation of the direct-fired water heater, an externaljacket of captive water surrounds the pipe through which heat is passed.The outer jacket of water is heated by the heat transfered from the.pipe within.

A disadvantage of the above methods is that the gases of the firingburners normally have a moisture byproduct generated therein fromcombustion. Generally the exhaust temperature and internal apparatuscomponent temperatures in these systems must be kept high enough toprevent condensation internally. Exhaust temperatures of 400F or higherare common. This limits the thermal efficiency of such systems.

A second general method comprises so-called submerged combustionheating. In submerged combustion apparatus, either a horizontal orvertical burner produces combustion gases in a chamber submerged in aheat transfer or primary liquid such that the combustion gases issuefrom the chamber into the primary liquid to form a turbulent mixturewhich passes through a heat exchanger, the combustion gases and liquidbeing separated after passage through the heat exchanger.

In another configuration the submerged combustion apparatus producescombustion gases directly in the swimming pool water, the combustiongases and pool water being separated near the surface of the pool.

Submerged combustion suffers from the disadvantage that the heatedliquid dissolves part of the soluble components of the combustionproducts, especially carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide,oxygen and becomes corrosive as regards ordinary metals. Anotherdisadvantage is the difficulty of making the apparatus work at highpressure, in view ofthe great bulk required in that case for thecontainer which, having to withstand the pressure, must also comprisethe considerable space occupied by the heated liquid and, moreover,contain the means needed to cause this liquid to enter and leave thepressurized container.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a thermallyeconomic and efficient, low-pressure combustion swimming pool system.

More particularly, this invention relates to the direct contact,water-nonsubmerged heating of a swimming pool whereby a supply of waterfrom the swimming pool is flowed into direct contact with a flowing heatsource, the flow of water being transverse relative to that of the heatflow.

Reference is made to the drawings and FIGS. 1 to 4 thereon.

FIG. 1 represents one embodiment of this invention, utilizing a singlelayer of weep holes.

FIG. 2 represents a further embodiment of this invention, utilizingmultiple layers of weep holes.

FIG. 3 is a'view along Section 33 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a burner end view of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a relatively elongated, single-laye'r swimmingpool heater having an upper trough l6 and a lower trough 22, with sides15a, 15b, ends 15c, 15d, water dispersing plate (and dividing layer) 17acontaining weep holes 14, and a bottom pan 17b.

The heater is supported by brackets 20 attached to a swimming pool wall26. I

A source of swimming pool water 12 is applied via conduit 10 supportedby bracket 1 l. The water flows as multiple streams 29 from the upperportion 16 through the water dispersing plate 17a via weep holes 14 intothe lower trough 22 such that the water is heated by direct contact withhot gases and flame 28 emitted by burner 18 supported on bracket 19. Theheated water 24 exits typically as a thin sheet, from the bottom trough22 via the open portion of end 15d. The heated water is returned to theswimming pool by any convenient means.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a multi-level swimming pool heater (astacked-folded variation of FIG. 1) supported on bracket 40 attached toa swimming pool wall 46, the heater having an upper section 33a, anintermediate section 33b, and bottom section 33c, with sides 36a, 36b,ends 36c, 36d, top water dispersing plate 42 having a lip portion 35a,vintermediate water dispersing plate 37 having a lip portion 35b, bottompan 41 having exit conduit 43, vertical dividing walls 47a, 47b,intermediate chimney 33c, and exit chimney 33d. A plurality of weepholes 34 are provided in water dispersing plates 42 and 37.

A source of swimming pool water 32 is flowed into the open upper section33a from a conduit 30 supported by bracket 31. The water flows along atop water dispersing plate 42 and through the weep holes 34 into section33b onto the intermediate water dispersing plate 37; then, through weepholes 34 into bottom section 33c onto the bottom pan 41. Aburner 38supported on a bracket 39 emits hot gas and flame 48 in a transversedirection relative to the flow of water 49 through the weep holes 34.The hot gas flows through the heater as indicated by the arrows 51; thatis, the gas flows through the bottom section 33c in a first directionand then reverses its direction of flow around dividing wall 47b. Thegas passes from the bottom section 33c upwardly through chimney portion33c to the intermediate section 33b. The hot gas then flows in a firstdirection through intermediate section 33b and then reverses itsdirection of flow around dividing wall 47a. The gas exits from theheater via chimney 33d. The resulting heated water 44 exits from theheater via drain 43.

The water supply to and from the swimming pool may be continuous ordiscontinuous, depending upon the auxiliary equipment, such as pumps,holding tanks, etc.

The water flow from the pool may be split flow; e.g., a portion recycledfrom the filter directly back to the pool and the other portion suppliedto the heater.

Likewise, the water flow back to the pool can be split flow; e.g., partfrom the heater and part from another source.

The weep holes in each dividing layer may be of any shape or form suchas perforations, slots, etc., with the size and number of holes beingadjusted to handle the required flow of water. Each dividing layer maybe provided with overflow baffles or like means to adjust the waterlevel thereon and/or regulate or assist flow through the weep holes.Each dispersing plate or dividing layer may also be positioned at anyappropriate angle so as to regulate or assist water flow. Likewise, theentire heater can be tilted to an angle to permit overflow of a portionof the water. Regardless of the angle(s) of the dividing layer or theentire heater, the water flow through the weep holes should besubstantially transverse to the flow of heat.

The weep holes should be sufficiently remote from the burner tip ornozzle to keep substantial quantities of water from contacting the flameand to permit substantial fuel combustion such that interfering amountsof carbon monoxide are not formed. Thus, the weep holes should not bepositioned directly above the burner tip or the flame emitted therefrom,but should be positioned downstream from the tip and flame. The weepholes may also be located adjacent to the sides of the flowing flame tocool; e.g., via a falling water film, the vertical sides and ends of theheater.

The cooling of the sides of the heater may be especially advantageousfrom the standpoints of safety, the conservation of the materials ofconstruction, and in creased thermal efficiency.

Any suitable fuel can be utilized in the practice hereof. Although solidfuels may be used, the most practical fuels are liquid or gas,especially hydrocarbons. The practice of this invention has the furtheradvantage of low-pressure combustion; e.g., by use of a low pressurehydrocarbon gas at a pressure of about 6 to 7 inches of water withcombustion at substantially atmospheric pressure.

Although only two weep hole layers are illustrated in FIG. 2, it iscontemplated that additional layers can be employed.

The heated water is discharged from the heater at one or a multiplicityof exits. Such exits may be positioned at any level, in the sides, inthe bottom, at either or both ends, etc.

The geometric configuration of the overall heater body; e.g., outershell, may be of any suitable design; e.g., cylindrical, spherical,cubic, etc. Likewise, the geometric cross-section of each dividinglayer; e.g., in a horizontal plane transverse to the water's downwardflow, may be of any suitable design; e.g., square, rectangle, circle,ellipse, triangle, trapozoid, etc.

A variety of auxiliary equipment may be utilized in combination withthis invention; that is, the heater may be a self-contained unit or maybe integrated with other pool equipment, including not by way oflimitation filters, holding tanks, control valves, burner blowers withor without air or oxygen assists, chimney educters, burner blowers,etc., as well as combinations thereof. Thus, for example, a blower forthe burner may be hydraulically driven by a head of water generated fromthe pool filter system.

We claim:

1. A nonsubmerged, direct contact process for heating a swimming poolwhich comprises withdrawing a supply of water from the pool, flowing thewithdrawn water into the upper zone of a heating chamber having at leasttwo zones, dispersing and gravity flowing the water from "the upper zonethrough a multiplicity of weep holes into a lower zone into directcontact with a flowingheat source, the flow of the water beingsubstantially transverse to the flow of the heat, withdrawing the heatedwater from the chamber and returning it to the pool, and gravity flowinga portion of the water from the upper zone to the lower zone as a thinfilm along inner walls of the chamber so as to cool such walls andincrease the overall thermal efficiency of the process.

2. Apparatus for heating swimming pool water wherein the water iscirculated from the pool and returned thereto, comprising a chamberhaving a bottom, side, and end walls, an opening formed in one end wallof said chamber adjacent the bottom thereof, a combustion burner, meansmounting said burner in said opening with the flame therefrom sweepinggenerally horizontally toward an exhaust opening at the other end wall,at least one horizontal, water dispersing, plate spanning the length andwidth of said chamber and mounted above said opening in said one endwall, said dispersing plate having a plurality of water weep holesformed therethrough to provide a plurality of substantially verticalwater streams in a pattern excluding the area immediately overlying theextent of the sweep of the combustion flame, means mounted on saidchamber forfeeding water onto the upper surface of said dispersing plateand outlet means communicating with the upper surface of said bottom fordraining heated water for return to the pool.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein means are provided onthechamber for mounting of the chamber to a swimming pool side.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the dispersing plate containsweep holes adjacent to the chamber side and end walls so as to provide afalling water film thereon.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the burner is a low pressure,gas burner.

6. A swimming pool water heater comprising a chamber, said chamberformed of a bottom, side, and end walls, a first horizontal perforate,water dispersing plate spanning the length and width of said chamber andpositioned in an upper portion of said chamber, a second generallyhorizontal, perforate water dispersing plate spanning the length andwidth of said chamber and positioned below the first plate within saidchamber, a vertical baffle extending from the bottom of said chamber toat least the level of said first dispersing plate, said vertical platebeing joined to one end wall of said chamber and extending at least partof the length of said chamber, said dispersing plates and said verticalplate generally separating the interior of said chamber into fourelongated sub-chambers, said one end wall of said chamber being open inthe area between the bottom wall and the second dispersing plate, acombustible fuel burner mounted in the open area-of said one end wallfor directing a generally horizontal flame pattern toward the other endwall, said second dispersing plate being imperforate in the areaoverlying the flame patupper surface of said first dispersing plate andopening means formed in the bottom wall of said chamber for dischargingheated water from the heater into the pool.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the dispersing plate containsperforations near the chamber side and end walls so as to provide afalling water film thereon.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the burner is a low-pressure,gas burner.

1. A nonsubmerged, direct contact process for heating a swimming poolwhich comprises withdrawing a supply of water from the pool, flowing thewithdrawn water into the upper zone of a heating chamber having at leasttwo zones, dispersing and gravity flowing the water from the upper zonethrough a multiplicity of weep holes into a lower zone into directcontact with a flowing heat source, the flow of the water beingsubstantially transverse to the flow of the heat, withdrawing the heatedwater from the chamber and returning it to the pool, and gravity flowinga portion of the water from the upper zone to the lower zone as a thinfilm along inner walls of the chamber so as to cool such walls andincrease the overall thermal efficiency of the process.
 2. Apparatus forheating swimming pool water wherein the water is circulated from thepool and returned thereto, comprising a chamber having a bottom, side,and end walls, an opening formed in one end wall of said chamberadjacent the bottom thereof, a combustion burner, means mounting saidburner in said opening with the flame therefrom sweeping generallyhorizontally toward an exhaust opening at the other end wall, at leastone horizontal, water dispersing, plate spanning the length and width ofsaid chamber and mounted above said opening in said one end wall, saiddispersing plate having a plurality of water weep holes formedtherethrough to provide a plurality of substantially vertical waterstreams in a pattern excluding the area immediately overlying the extentof the sweep of the combustion flame, means mounted on said chamber forfeeding water onto the upper surface of said dispersing plate and outletmeans communicating with the upper surface of said bottom for drainingheated water for return to the pool.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2wherein means are provided on the chamber for mounting of the chamber toa swimming pool side.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein thedispersing plate contains weep holes adjacent to the chamber side andend walls so as to provide a falling water film thereon.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein the burner is a low pressure, gas burner.6. A swimming pool water heater comprising a chamber, said chamberformed of a bottom, side, and end walls, a first horizontal perforate,water dispersing plate spanning the length and width of said chamber andpositioned in an upper portion of said chamber, a second generallyhorizontal, perforate water dispersing plate spanning the length andwidth of said chamber and positioned below the first plate within saidchamber, a vertical baffle extending from the bottom of said chamber toat least the level of said first dispersing plate, said vertical platebeing joined to one end wall of said chamber and extending at least partof the length of said chamber, said dispersing plates and said verticalplate generally separating the interior of said chamber into fourelongated sub-chambers, said one end wall of said chamber being open inthe area between the bottom wall and the second dispersing plate, acombustible fuel burner mounted in the open area of said one end wallfor directing a generally horizontal flame pattern toward the other endwall, said second dispersing plate being imperforate in the areaoverlying the flame pattern from said burner and terminating short ofthe one end wall on the opposite side of said vertical plate, said firstdispersing plate terminating short of said one end wall on the same sideof said vertical plate as the burner, whereby heated gases from saidburner will travel in series through the four sub-chambers of saidchamber, and exhaust upwardly adjacent said one end wall aftercontacting the dispersed water and transferring a substantial portion ofits heat to said water, means for discharging swimming pool water ontothe upper surface of said first dispersing plate and opening meansformed in the bottom wall of said chamber for discharging heated waterfrom the heater into the pool.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the dispersing plate contains perforations near the chamber sideand end walls so as to provide a falling water film thereon. 8.Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the burner is a low-pressure, gasburner.